Did You Know Your Pet Can Officiate Your Colorado Wedding?
When it comes to weddings, Colorado couples have something truly special: the freedom to self-solemnize. That means you don’t need an officiant to make your marriage legal—you and your partner can marry yourselves with no witness, minister, or judge required.
This rare flexibility has inspired couples across the state to get creative, and one of the sweetest trends we’ve seen is involving pets in the ceremony. Yes, you read that right—your dog (or cat, or even llama!) can symbolically officiate your wedding.
What Is Self-Solemnization?
Self-solemnization is a law unique to Colorado (and just a handful of other states) that allows couples to legally marry themselves. No officiant, no witnesses—it’s entirely up to you. Many couples sign their marriage license privately, but others turn it into a heartfelt, personalized ceremony.
This opens the door for meaningful touches, like having your pet “sign” with a paw print or “stand in” as your honorary officiant at the altar.
How Couples Are Making It Unique
We’ve seen couples:
Have their pup sit between them during vows as their “official witness.”
Use a paw print stamp or ink pad for their pet’s “signature” on the license.
Dress their furry friend in a bowtie, floral collar, or even a tiny tuxedo.
Capture one-of-a-kind photos of their pet front and center as they say “I do.”
It’s a playful way to honor the bond you share with your pet while making your ceremony unlike any other.
But Let’s Be Real—It Takes Planning
While the idea of your pet “officiating” is adorable, weddings are already full of moving parts. Without support, it can be stressful to manage your pet’s care on top of everything else. Who’s walking them down the aisle? Making sure they don’t run off during portraits? Handling potty breaks and water?
That’s where a professional pet attendant makes all the difference.
How Pawfect Plus One Makes It Seamless
At The Pawfect Plus One, we specialize in concierge-level pet care for weddings and events. Here’s how we help make your “pet officiant” vision stress-free:
Outfits & Styling – We’ll coordinate their look with your planner and photographer to ensure they’re camera-ready.
Timeline Management – From aisle walks to paw print signatures, we handle every moment so it flows naturally with your schedule.
Comfort & Care – We provide water, breaks, and calming support to keep your pet happy throughout the day.
Photo Support – We work with your photographer to get those perfect, once-in-a-lifetime shots.
Your furry family member can play their starring role—without adding a single ounce of stress to you or your guests.
A Celebration as Unique as You Are
Colorado weddings are all about individuality, adventure, and love—and what better way to showcase that than by including your pet in the most important moment of your life?
✨ Ready to plan a wedding where your pet isn’t just a guest, but the one who makes it official? Contact The Pawfect Plus One today to learn how we can help you design a stress-free, unforgettable celebration.